§ 29. Mr. P. MEEHANasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Great Southern and Western Railway Company of Ireland have raised the through rates to towns on the old Water-ford and Central Ireland Railway Company's system; if he is aware that, under Section 19 of the Act of 1900 amalgamating the two systems, the Great Southern and Western Railway Company are prohibited from increasing the actual rates charged on the 30th day of June, 1900, 1442 without the consent of the Railway and Canal Commissioners; if the company have obtained the consent of the Railway and Canal Commissioners to the present increased rates; and, if not, what action he intends taking in the matter?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe statutory provision to which the hon. Gentleman refers relates to the rates actually charged on the railways of the amalgamated companies, and if particulars are furnished of any such rates that have been increased I will look into the matter. The rates, however, referred to in recent questions by the lion. Gentleman are through rates from Liverpool, and it is not necessarily the case that the consent of the Railway and Canal Commissioners is required to an increase of such rates.
§ Mr. DELANYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase of the rates is 50 per cent., with a tendency to increase?
Mr. RUNCIMANYes, I believe that the amount that the hon. Gentleman gives, 50 per cent., is quite true.
§ Mr. MEEHANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Section of the Amalgamation Act fixes the limit of the various rates that the company can charge, and that in the present rates these limits are considerably exceeded?
Mr. RUNCIMANIf there has been any increase in the rates above the limits of the Act, and the hon. Member will give me proof of them, I shall certainly take the matter up.